Ankus/Ankush question
 

Here is an Indian elephant goad (Ankus) I recently purchased. While not a weapon per se, these could be used mush like a warhammer to deliver a nasty skull-piercing blow. So I suppose it can be discused here :)

As you can see this is a purely utiletarian piece without any imbelishments. Therefore I assume that every part of it is designed to be usefull in some way. I know that the downcurved hook is what drives an elephant, and a straight spike is used as a kill-switch of sorts - if the elephant panics and becomes violent, mahaut could drive it between the neck vertibrae with a small mallet (a rarely discussed piece of equipment carried by most "elephant drivers") to severe the spine. But what is the purpose of a small up-curved hook often seen on many ankuses including thsi one (circled in red)? The only guess that I would dare to venture is that when when ankus is tucked under a belt/sash in an upright position, the little hook catches to the bottom of the belt, which prevents it from sliding over the top. What are your thoughts on this?

Here are some more pictures:

On this one the hooks to hold jingle jangles.

Spiral

Hmmm... These look more like rings for attachment of something... A retainer strap perhaps?

As you can see on my ankus, the hook is too open to hold anything. It does not appear to have been bent in any way. besides, most ankuses have it as an open hook and not a ring. So the question still stands.

Fairy nuff! :D

no opinion, but found this one via google - looked worth including here: